Passengers refusing to wear headphones on flights could be kicked off aircraft: 'It's about time'

United Airlines now requires passengers to use headphones for audio and video content on flights, updating its contract to address complaints. Travelers reacted on social media. Travel Passengers refusing to wear headphones on flights could be kicked off aircraft: 'It's about time' Policy change at United Airlines gives flight crews clearer authority to remove passengers for non-compliance By Kelly McGreal Fox News Published March 4, 2026 6:47pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video United flight makes emergency landing in Los Angeles amid engine trouble The New Jersey-bound flight turned around an hour into the trip amid left engine trouble, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. (KTTV) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! United Airlines has updated its passenger policy to address a common in-flight complaint: travelers who play audio or video without headphones. The airline revised its contract of carriage Feb. 27 to clarify that passengers are now required to use headphones when listening to content onboard, United confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital."We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content – and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones," the airline said. "With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage." The change appears under the airline’s "refusal of transport" section, which outlines circumstances under which United may deny boarding or remove a passenger from a flight. United Airlines recently changed its passenger policy to tackle a frequent in-flight issue. It is requiring travelers to use headphones if they're playing audio or video — or face possible removal from the flight. (iStock)Under the updated language, passengers who fail to use headphones while playing audio or video could face removal from the aircraft. The policy also states that travelers who cause "loss, damage or expense of any kind" may be responsible for reimbursing the airline.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore said of United's new headphone policy, "It's about time." She told Fox 32 Chicago, "I think we need to pack our manners whenever we go on an airplane, whenever we travel. And the violators of this, ironically, are parents — parents who don't put earbuds in their children's ears, or headsets" on them."We need to pack our manners whenever we go on an airplane." The update from United has sparked strong reactions online."I fly a lot on United and have never experienced this, but I would lose my mind if someone started playing it out loud," one user wrote on Reddit. Passengers who play audio aboard flights without headphones or earbuds risk removal from the aircraft — and may have to cover any related costs. (iStock) "I’d say it happens on about one-third of my trips," another replied.CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIESOthers noted that while the airline technically always had authority to address disruptive behavior, putting headphone use into the contract of carriage gives crews the ability to truly enforce it. Most social media users are pleased about the rule, believing it will help reduce disruptive behavior during flights. (iStock) "Now [let's] have the same rule for airline lounges," a user wrote. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZPassengers who do not have their own headphones can request a complimentary basic wired pair onboard, according to United’s in-flight entertainment information. United is the first major U.S. airline to formally include headphone use in its legally binding passenger agreement, though other carriers encourage similar etiquette onboard. "Flight attendants will give a warning before they ban passengers" due to a lack of using headphones while playing audio or video, said a travel expert. (iStock)Added Whitmore, "[This] has always been a big issue. It started with cellphones many, many years ago." She said she thinks what will happen from this point on is that "flight attendants will give a warning before they ban passengers" due to a lack of using headphones while playing audio or video. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APPAnd "anyone who has a problem with that," she continued, could "be booted out by the FAA immediately." Related Article Flight attendant demands passenger spit out Zyn, leaving travelers confused about policies Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 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